Each year, I like to reflect on some of the things I’ve learned. It’s great to set goals for 2025, but I believe it’s also important to glean lessons from what has already passed. Not that we need to dwell in the past—that’s certainly NOT healthy. But we can learn from it. Here are my 5 takeaways from 2024. I’d love to hear some of your own lessons & discoveries.
A Trip to New Hope, PA1. CELEBRATE THE BIG MOMENTS AND THE LITTLE ONES. In 2024, we celebrated my father-in-law’s 90th birthday, my mother-in-law’s 80th birthday, my parents’ 60th wedding anniversary, a college graduation, a confirmation, and a sacramental marriage. These were the “big things” in 2024, but there were also smaller celebrations…new jobs, promotions, Blue Angels, and publishing a book. All marked the year and allowed us to celebrate together.
2. DON’T JUST ENJOY RECREATIONAL TIME: SAVOR IT. With my husband working a crazy baseball season, the moments we get down time we’ve learned to savor it. Whether we go on the boat in the Severn River (our little getaway) or take a day trip to a nearby town or city, we’ve learned to appreciate every moment.
3. DIVE INTO VOLUNTEER/SERVICE WORK. In 2024, I vowed to become more involved in things that serve others. Having been a teacher since 1993 and working in a “helping field,” when you step back to part-time, it leaves room to do other things. I’ve enjoyed giving back, and I’ve also been given so much by giving of my time. Before Christmas, I threw a little party for my 2nd grade Faith Formation class. One little girl, thinking it was the end of our time together, asked me if she would see me after the holidays. I said, “Of course…after Christmas.” She said, “Oh, good. I would miss you if I didn’t see you again.” I melted.
4. DON’T LET THE WORLD STOP YOU FROM YOUR PASSIONS. I can get down about being an indie author. But I had many small epiphanies that taught me that ONLY I can make myself feel bad about my writing career. No one else can do that. And so, I plug ahead.
5. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE HOW MUCH YOU CAN TOUCH SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE. There are too many stories for me to share in this short form, but it really is amazing to hear how my books, teaching, or my involvement in something has touched someone else’s life. I’m not special. We ALL have the capacity to do that.
About the author:
STEPHANIE VERNI is the author of THE ONES CLOSEST TO YOU, THE LETTERS IN THE BOOKS; FROM HUMBUG TO HUMBLE: THE TRANSFORMATION OF EBENEZER SCROOGE; BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE; INN SIGNIFICANT; LITTLE MILESTONES; THE POSTCARD; and ANNA IN TUSCANY. She is also a co-author of the textbook, EVENT PLANNING & MANAGEMENT: COMMUNICATING THEORY & PRACTICE. Currently an adjunct professor at Stevenson University Online, she instructs communication courses for undergraduate and graduate students. She and her husband reside in Severna Park, Maryland, have two children, and a little boat that makes them immensely happy.
